Confessions - Book Xiii - Chapter XV
St. Augustine emphasizes the enduring divine authority of Scripture beyond the mortal lives of its human authors, illustrating how God's Word remains a firm and sublime guide for believers.
In this profound exposition, St. Augustine reflects on the enduring authority of Scripture, emphasizing how God's Word transcends the mortality of its human authors to remain a firm guide for believers. He explores the relationship between sin, mortality, and divine revelation, illustrating how God's handiwork is evident in both Scripture and creation. Augustine invites listeners to seek spiritual clarity and wisdom, even from the simplest sources, as part of their journey in faith.
Text
16. Now who but thee, our God, didst make for us that firmament of the authority of thy divine Scripture to be over us? For \"the heaven shall be folded up like a scroll\"[564]; but now it is stretched over us like a skin. Thy divine Scripture is of more sublime authority now that those mortal men through whom thou didst dispense it to us have departed this life. And thou knowest, O Lord, thou knowest how thou didst clothe men with skins when they became mortal because of sin.[565] In something of the same way, thou hast stretched out the firmament of thy Book as a skin--that is to say, thou hast spread thy harmonious words over us through the ministry of mortal men. For by their very death that solid firmament of authority in thy sayings, spoken forth by them, stretches high over all that now drift under it; whereas while they lived on earth their authority was not so widely extended. Then thou hadst not yet spread out the heaven like a skin; thou hadst not yet spread abroad everywhere the fame of their death.
17. Let us see, O Lord, \"the heavens, the work of thy fingers,\"[566] and clear away from our eyes the fog with which thou hast covered them. In them[567] is that testimony of thine which gives wisdom even to the little ones. O my God, out of the mouth of babes and sucklings, perfect thy praise.[568] For we know no other books that so destroy man\\
Sermon Outline
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I
- The firmament of divine Scripture as God's authority over us
- The metaphor of heaven folded like a scroll versus stretched like a skin
- The enduring authority of Scripture beyond the death of its human authors
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II
- The connection between human mortality, sin, and God's provision
- God clothing men with skins as a symbol of mortality
- The spreading of God's harmonious words through mortal ministers
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III
- The heavens as the work of God's fingers
- The call to remove spiritual blindness to see God's testimony
- Wisdom given even to the youngest through God's revelation
Key Quotes
“Now who but thee, our God, didst make for us that firmament of the authority of thy divine Scripture to be over us?” — St. Augustine
“Thy divine Scripture is of more sublime authority now that those mortal men through whom thou didst dispense it to us have departed this life.” — St. Augustine
“Let us see, O Lord, 'the heavens, the work of thy fingers,' and clear away from our eyes the fog with which thou hast covered them.” — St. Augustine
Application Points
- Trust in the enduring authority of Scripture as a divine guide beyond human limitations.
- Recognize the consequences of sin and the provision of God even in human mortality.
- Seek spiritual clarity and wisdom daily, welcoming God's revelation in all forms.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Augustine mean by the 'firmament of Scripture'?
He refers to Scripture as a solid, divine authority stretched over believers, providing guidance and truth beyond the mortal lives of its human authors.
How does Augustine relate human mortality to sin?
He explains that mortality came as a consequence of sin, symbolized by God clothing men with skins to cover their fallen state.
Why is the death of Scripture's human authors significant?
Their death extends the authority of Scripture, making its divine message more widely accessible and enduring beyond their earthly lives.
What role do the heavens play in Augustine's message?
The heavens testify to God's handiwork and wisdom, encouraging believers to seek spiritual clarity and praise God even through the simplest voices.
How does Augustine view the wisdom given to children?
He sees it as a perfecting of God's praise, showing that even the youngest can receive divine wisdom and testify to God's glory.